U.S. patent number 6,702,614 [Application Number 10/271,802] was granted by the patent office on 2004-03-09 for connector with lock configured to avoid interference with terminal fitting.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ryotaro Ishikawa, Hajime Kawase, Naoya Kurimoto, Hideto Nakamura, Yuuichi Nankou.
United States Patent |
6,702,614 |
Nakamura , et al. |
March 9, 2004 |
Connector with lock configured to avoid interference with terminal
fitting
Abstract
A connector has a housing (40) with cavities (41) and
resiliently deformable locks (43) that project into the cavities
(41). Terminal fittings (10) are insertable into the cavities (41)
and deform the locks (43) in a deforming direction (DD) that
intersects the inserting and withdrawing directions (IWD) of the
terminal fitting (10). The locks (43) then restore and locking
surfaces (64) of the locks (43) lock the terminal fittings (10) in
the cavities (41). Each locking surface (64) has an upper locking
surface (58) furthest into the cavity (41) and a lower locking
surface (61). The lower locking surface (61) is at an obtuse angle
to the withdrawing direction of the terminal fitting (10), whereas
an angle of the upper locking surface (58) to the withdrawing
direction is smaller than the angle of the lower locking surface
(61).
Inventors: |
Nakamura; Hideto (Yokkaichi,
JP), Ishikawa; Ryotaro (Yokkaichi, JP),
Kawase; Hajime (Yokkaichi, JP), Nankou; Yuuichi
(Yokkaichi, JP), Kurimoto; Naoya (Yokkaichi,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
(JP)
|
Family
ID: |
28677669 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/271,802 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2002 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 7, 2002 [JP] |
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2002-196441 |
Jul 23, 2002 [JP] |
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2002-213636 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/595;
439/748 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/4223 (20130101); H01R 13/111 (20130101); H01R
13/114 (20130101); H01R 13/4362 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/422 (20060101); H01R 13/436 (20060101); H01R
013/40 () |
Field of
Search: |
;439/744,745,746,748,595 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1 073 154 |
|
Jan 2001 |
|
EP |
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1 209 766 |
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May 2002 |
|
EP |
|
Primary Examiner: Nasri; Javaid H.
Assistant Examiner: Le; Thanh-Tam
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Casella; Anthony J. Hespos; Gerald
E.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A connector comprising a housing with at least one cavity, a
terminal fitting being inserted along an inserting direction into
the cavity and being withdrawable along a withdrawing direction, a
lock formed in the housing and projecting into the cavity, the lock
being deformable in a deforming direction in response to insertion
of the terminal fitting into the cavity and returning resiliently
toward an undeformed position for locking the terminal fitting in
the cavity, the deforming direction intersecting the inserting
direction, the lock having an inner surface facing into the cavity
and aligned substantially along the withdrawing direction, the lock
further having a locking surface for engaging the terminal fitting,
the locking surface comprising a deforming-direction front section
and a deforming-direction rear section, the deforming-direction
rear section projecting farther into the cavity than the
deforming-direction front section and being aligned to the
withdrawing direction of the terminal fitting at an angle that is
smaller than an angle of the deforming-direction front section to
the withdrawing direction of the terminal filling, the
deforming-direction rear section extending to and intersecting with
the inner surface of the lock.
2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the angle of the
deforming-direction front section is an obtuse angle to the
withdrawing direction of the terminal fitting.
3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the angle of the
deforming-direction rear section is substantially normal to the
withdrawing directions of the terminal fitting.
4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the terminal fitting comprises
a locking projection that is engageable with the
deforming-direction front section of the locking surface for
locking.
5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the terminal fitting has a
locking section engageable by the lock and aligned substantially
parallel to the deforming-direction front section.
6. A connector, comprising a housing with opposite front end and
rear ends and at least one cavity extending between the ends, a
terminal fitting being inserted along an inserting direction into
the cavity and being withdrawable along a withdrawing direction, an
elongated lock formed in the housing and aligned substantially
along the inserting direction, a partion of the lock projecting
into the cavity, the lock being deformable in a deforming direction
that intersects the inserting direction in response to insertion of
the terminal fitting into the cavity and returning resiliently
toward an undeformed position for locking the terminal fitting in
the cavity, the lock having a locking surface for engaging the
terminal fitting, the locking surface comprising a
deforming-direction front section and a deforming-direction rear
section, the deforming-direction rear section being aligned to the
withdrawing direction of the terminal fitting at an angle that is
smaller than an angle of the deforming-direction front section to
the withdrawing direction of the terminal fitting, wherein the lock
is supported at both longitudinal ends.
7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the housing is formed with an
opening which is open forward, and wherein a section of the lock
projecting more forward than the locking surface is connected with
at least one side surface of the opening.
8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the section of the
lock projecting more forward than the locking surface is formed
with a maneuverable groove which is open forward and is
maneuverable by a disengagement jig to forcibly resiliently deform
the lock.
9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the disengagement jig can be
inserted into the opening for maneuvering the maneuverable
groove.
10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the opening forks the section
of the lock projecting more forward than the locking surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,743 and also
is illustrated in FIG. 17 herein. With reference to FIG. 17, the
connector has a housing 1 and a terminal fitting 2 inserted from
behind into a cavity 3 of the housing 1. The housing 1 has a lock 4
that defines the bottom of the cavity 3. The lock 4 has a long arm
4a that is resiliently deformable along the vertical direction. A
fastening projection 4b projects from the upper surface of the arm
4a and is fittable into a hole 2a in the bottom wall of the
terminal fitting 2 to engage the edge of the hole 2a.
The connector of FIG. 17 can be miniaturized by reducing the size
of all components. However, the smaller lock 4 is weaker and may be
deformed by an excessive pulling force on the locked terminal
fitting 2. As a countermeasure, a locking surface 5 of the
fastening projection 4b can be inclined at an obtuse angle with
respect to a withdrawing direction, as shown in FIG. 18. This
inclination of the locking surface 5 causes a component of the
pulling force on the locked terminal fitting 2 to act in a
direction opposite from the deforming direction. Thus, the lock 4
is difficult to disengage, and the force to lock the terminal
fitting 2 can be increased.
The inclination of locking surface 5 creates problems when the
terminal fitting 2 is being detached. Specifically, the terminal
fitting 2 is detached by forcibly deforming the lock 4 with a
disengagement jig. However, the locking surface 5 is inclined
forward toward its upper end and a trace of displacement of the
locking surface 5 during the resilient deformation is more forward
than that of FIG. 17. Thus, the locking surface 5 is more likely to
interfere with the edge of the locking hole 2a when the lock 4 is
deformed.
The invention was completed based on the above problem and an
object thereof is to improve a detaching operability of a terminal
fitting while in particular allowing to secure a sufficient force
to lock the terminal fitting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a connector with a housing that has at
least one cavity and at least one terminal fitting that can be
inserted into the cavity. A resiliently deformable lock is in the
cavity and is contacted by the terminal fitting as the terminal
fitting is inserted into the cavity. The contact by the terminal
fitting causes the lock to deform in a deforming direction that
intersects the inserting and withdrawing directions of the terminal
fitting. The lock restores resiliently when the terminal fitting is
inserted completely, and locks the terminal fitting in the cavity.
The lock has a locking surface for engaging the terminal fitting.
The locking surface comprises a deforming-direction front section
at the front side relative to the deforming direction of the lock
and a deforming-direction rear section at the backside relative to
the deforming direction. An angle of the deforming-direction rear
section to the withdrawing direction of the terminal fitting is
smaller than an angle of the deforming-direction front section to
the withdrawing direction.
Accordingly, the terminal fitting can be detached from the
connector housing by forcibly deforming the lock away from the
terminal fitting and pulling the terminal fitting back. The angle
of the deforming-direction rear section to the withdrawing
direction is smaller than the angle of the deforming-direction
front section thereto. Thus, a trace of displacement of the locking
surface during the resilient deformation of the lock is more
backward as compared to a case where the locking surface has the
same angle of inclination over the entire length. Thus, the lock is
less likely to interfere with the terminal fitting during resilient
deformation, and detachment of the terminal fitting is
reliable.
The deforming-direction front section preferably is inclined at an
obtuse angle to the withdrawing direction of the terminal
fitting.
The terminal fitting inserted into the cavity of the connector
housing is held so as not to come out by the lock. The
deforming-direction front section of the locking surface of the
lock is inclined at an obtuse angle to the withdrawing direction of
the terminal fitting. Thus, even if a force acts to pull the
terminal fitting back in its locked state, a component of the force
acts on the lock in a direction opposite from the deforming
direction, making it difficult to disengage the lock. Therefore, a
force to lock the terminal fitting can be increased.
The angle of the deforming-direction rear section may be
substantially normal to the inserting and withdrawing directions of
the terminal fitting.
The terminal fitting may comprise a locking projection that engages
the deforming-direction front section of the locking surface for
locking. The deforming-direction front section preferably is
inclined in the same direction as a locking section of the terminal
fitting.
The lock preferably is supported at both ends. Thus, a high
strength can be maintained even if the thickness is reduced as
compared to conventional locks supported only at one end and.
Accordingly, a force to lock the terminal fitting can be enhanced,
and the connector suited to being miniaturized can be provided.
The housing preferably has a forward opening for forming the
locking surface of the lock. A section of the lock that projects
more forward than the locking surface is connected with at least
one side surface of the opening. The connected section does not
hinder the formation of the locking surface, and enables the
locking surface to be wider. Thus, even if the connector is
miniaturized, a sufficient locking force can be secured for the
terminal fitting. Thus, the connector is suited to being
miniaturized.
The section of the lock that projects more forward than the locking
surface preferably is formed with a manoeuvrable groove that opens
forward and is manoeuvrable by a disengagement jig to deform the
lock. The disengagement jig preferably can be inserted into the
opening for manoeuvring the manoeuvrable groove. Most preferably,
jig-introducing groove forks or divides the section of the lock
projecting more forward than the locking surface.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying
drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are
separately described, single features thereof may be combined to
additional embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a female housing according to one
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the female housing.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view partly in section of the female
housing.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a female terminal fitting.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the female terminal fitting.
FIG. 6 is a left side view of the female terminal fitting.
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the female housing taken along
7A--7A of FIG. 1 and of the female terminal fitting taken along
7B--7B of FIG. 4 showing a state before the female terminal fitting
is inserted into the female housing with a retainer mounted at a
partial locking position.
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional of the female housing taken along line
8A--8A of FIG. 1 and of the female terminal fitting taken along
8B--8B of FIG. 4 showing the state before the female terminal
fitting is inserted into the female housing with the retainer
mounted at the partial locking position.
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the female housing taken along
line 9--9 of FIG. 1 and with the female terminal fitting is shown
by a plan view in a state before the female terminal fitting is
inserted into the female housing with the retainer mounted at the
partial locking position.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but showing an
intermediate stage of insertion of the female terminal fitting into
the female housing.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but showing a state
where the female terminal fitting is inserted in the female
housing.
FIG. 12 is a section view similar to FIG. 8, but showing the state
where the female terminal fitting is inserted in the female
housing.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 showing the state
where the female terminal fitting is inserted in the female
housing.
FIG. 14 is a side view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a state where
the retainer is moved to a full locking position.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a state
where a disengagement jig is inserted in a maneuverable groove.
FIG. 16 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a state
where a lock is resiliently deformed by the disengagement jig.
FIG. 17 is a section of a prior art connector.
FIG. 18 is a partial section showing improved prior art
connector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A female connector in accordance with the invention has female
terminal fittings 10 mounted in a female housing 40, as shown in
FIGS. 1 to 16. The female housing 40 is connectable with an
unillustrated male housing so that the female terminal fittings 10
are electrically connectable with unillustrated male terminal
fittings in the male housing. In the following description,
directions of inserting and withdrawing the female terminal
fittings 10 into and from the female housing 40 are referred to as
forward and backward directions, respectively, and reference is
made to FIG. 7 concerning the vertical direction.
The female terminal fitting 10 is formed by embossing, folding
and/or bending a metallic material that has been stamped or cut
into a specified shape. The female terminal fitting 10, as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5, has a main body 11 substantially in the form of a
box with open front and rear ends and a barrel 12 to be crimped,
bent or folded into connection with an end of a wire W. The barrel
12 has a front pair of crimping pieces 12a for crimped connection
with a core Wa of the wire W, and a rear pair of crimping pieces
12b for crimped connection with an insulated portion Wb of the wire
W.
The main body 11 has a ceiling wall 13 that extends in forward and
backward directions, left and right sidewalls 14, 15 that extend
down from opposite lateral edges of the ceiling wall 13, a bottom
wall 16 that extends from the projecting end of the left sidewall
14 of FIG. 4 to face the ceiling wall 13, and an outer wall 17 that
extends from the projecting end of the right sidewall 14 of FIG. 4
to be placed below and outside the bottom wall 16.
The front end of the ceiling wall 13 is retracted back as compared
to the front ends of the other walls 14, 15, 16 and 17, and a
resilient contact piece 38 projects from this front end as shown in
FIG. 7. The resilient contact piece 18 is formed from a tongue that
extends from the front end of the ceiling wall 13 and is folded to
face the ceiling wall 13 and the bottom wall 16. Thus, the
resilient contact piece 18 is supported only at one end and has a
substantially triangular shape. The resilient contact piece 18 can
be brought resiliently into contact with a tab of a mating male
terminal fitting inserted into the main body 11 from the front. A
receiving portion 19 projects in from the bottom wall 16
substantially facing the resilient contact 18. The receiving
portion 19 can hold the tab while squeezing it in cooperation with
the resilient contact piece 18. An excessive deformation preventing
projection 20 is embossed in the ceiling wall 13 and projects
toward the resilient contact 18. Engagement of the resilient
contact piece 18 with the excessive deformation preventing
projection 20 prevents deformation of the resilient contact piece
18 beyond its resiliency limit.
A cut-away portion 21 divides the outer wall 17 into front and rear
portions 17a and 17b, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. The cut-away 21 is
formed over substantially the entire width of the outer wall and is
substantially at its longitudinal middle. The front cut end surface
21a of the cut-away portion 21 is inclined up and to the back over
its entire area. The cut-away portion 21 is slightly shorter than
half the length of the outer wall 17 and extends up to the bottom
end of the sidewall 15 at the upper side in FIG. 5. A bulging piece
22 extends from the projecting end of the bottom wall 16 and
contacts the bottom end surface of the sidewall 15 to hold the
bottom wall 16 substantially horizontally. The entire area of the
bottom wall 16, except a contact portion of the bulging piece 22
with the sidewall 15, is slightly lower than this contact portion,
thereby increasing a depth of engagement with the lock 13. The
front portion 17a of the outer wall 17 is slightly shorter than the
rear portion 17b in forward and backward directions.
A rear-portion holding piece 46 is bent up from the projecting end
of the rear portion 37b of the outer wall 37, as shown in FIG. 6,
and fits into a rear portion holding groove 48 to prevent loose
forward and backward movement of the rear portion 37b. A stabilizer
47 is bent down from the projecting end of the rear portion 37b of
the outer wall 37 and fits in the stabilizer-inserting groove 20 to
guide the insertion of the female terminal fitting 30 into the
cavity 11. The front end of the rear-portion holding piece 46 and
the front end of the rear portion 37b are substantially aligned
with each other. Similarly, the rear end of the stabilizer 47 and
the rear end of the rear portion 37b are substantially aligned with
each other. A projection 49 is embossed to project out at the
widthwise center of the rear end of the rear portion 37b and has a
length substantially equal to the length of the stabilizer 47.
A locking projection 29 is embossed out from the front portion 17a
of the outer wall 17 at a position displaced slightly to the left
of center in FIG. 4 and adjacent the front cut end of the cut-away
portion 21. The locking projection 29, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
is tapered so that the width and height of the locking projection
29 gradually decrease toward a vertex at the front end. More
particularly, the locking projection 29 has a pyramid portion 29a
formed by three slanted surfaces and a rectangular tube portion 29b
with a substantially constant width and height and formed by three
sequentially connected side surfaces. The pyramid portion 29a of
the locking projection 29 is tapered and has a slightly rounded
front end. The rectangular tube portion 29b of the locking
projection 29 overhangs back substantially along the inclination of
the front cut end surface 21a of the cut-away portion 21 and
projects more back towards the cut-away portion 21 than the front
portion 17a of the outer wall 17.
The locking projection 29 projects up to substantially the same
height as the projection 27. The rear end of the locking projection
29 is formed by the front cut end surface 21a of the cut-away
portion 21, which inclines in and up to the back. The rear end
surfaces of the front portion 17a of the outer wall 17 at opposite
sides of the locking projection 29 also are formed by the inwardly
and upwardly inclined front cut end surface 21a.
A front-portion holding piece 30 is bent up from the projecting end
of the front portion 17a of the outer wall 17 and fits into a
front-portion holding groove 31 in the side wall 14, as shown in
FIG. 6, to prevent the front portion 17a from making loose forward
and backward movements. The front-portion holding piece 30 projects
more backward than the front portion 17a of the outer wall 17. The
cut-away portion 21 extends into the base end of the front-portion
holding piece 30, and the cut end surface 44a thereof is inclined
in and up to the back as already described.
The female housing 40 is molded of a resin and cavities 41 are
arranged substantially side-by-side at two stages in the female
housing 40, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. Each cavity 41 has a
bottom wall 42, and a lock 43 projects from the bottom wall 42 into
each cavity 41. Each lock 43 is configured to engage the female
terminal fitting 10 that has been inserted into the cavity 41. The
female housing 40 also has a front wall 44 that defines a
front-limit position for the terminal fittings 10 in the cavity 41.
The front wall 44 of the female housing 40 is formed with tab
insertion holes 45 for receiving tabs of the mating male terminal
fittings that are inserted into the cavities 41 from the front.
Converging or tapered guide surfaces 46 are formed at the front
edges of the tab insertion holes 45 over substantially the entire
periphery, so that the tabs can be guided smoothly into the
cavities 41.
A projection-inserting groove 47 is formed substantially in the
widthwise center of the bottom wall 42, and a stabilizer-inserting
groove 48 is formed at the right side of the projection-inserting
groove 47 in FIG. 2. The stabilizer-inserting groove 48 is deeper
than the projection-inserting groove 47, and both grooves have open
rear ends. The projection-inserting groove 47 is dimensioned and
disposed to receive the locking projection 29 and the projection 27
of the female terminal fitting 10 and the stabilizer-inserting
groove 48 is dimensioned and disposed to receive the stabilizer 25.
The projection-inserting groove 47 is substantially continuous with
the lock 43, as described below, whereas the front end of the
stabilizer-inserting groove 48 is slightly behind the lock 43.
A projection 49 is provided at the front end of the upper surface
of the cavity 41 and gradually projects down toward the lock 43
over the entire width of the cavity 41. The projection 49 pushes
the front end of the female terminal fitting 10 toward the lock 43
as the female terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the cavity 41,
and hence increases the depth of engagement with the lock 43. The
peripheral edge of the rear end of the cavity 41 is inclined in and
to the front over substantially the entire periphery to guide the
female terminal fitting 10. A restriction 50 is at an upper-left
position of the peripheral edge of the rear end of the cavity 41 in
FIG. 2 and extends at an angle to the inserting and withdrawing
directions IWD of the female terminal fitting 10. The restriction
50 contacts the stabilizer 25 when the female terminal fitting 10
is inserted improperly into the cavity 41, thereby hindering
insertion. Further, opposite sidewalls of the cavity 11 bulge so
that a substantially front half is narrower than a substantially
rear half as shown in FIG. 9.
A retainer mount hole 51 is formed in the bottom wall of the female
housing 40, as shown in FIG. 7, and receives a retainer 52 is
mountable from below for doubly locking the female terminal
fittings 10. This retainer mount hole 51 laterally exposes
longitudinal middle portions of the respective cavities 41 e.g. to
outside below. The retainer 52 includes fastening portions 53
arrayed at two stages and substantially corresponding to the
respective cavities 41, and is vertically movable between two
positions in the female housing 40, namely, a partial locking or
first position (see FIG. 7) where the respective fasteners 53 are
retracted down from the corresponding cavities 41 to permit the
insertion and withdrawal of the female terminal fittings 10 into
and from the cavities 41. The retainer 52 also can be moved to a
full locking position (see FIG. 14) where the respective fasteners
53 enter the corresponding cavities 41 to lock the female terminal
fittings 10. The retainer 52 can be held selectively at the partial
locking position and the full locking position by an unillustrated
holder.
The lock 43 is at the front of the bottom wall 42 of the cavity 41
and has an arm 54 supported at both front and rear ends. A
fastening projection 55 projects into the cavity 41 from the upper
surface of the arm 54, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. The fastening
projection 55 can enter the cut-away portion 21 of the female
terminal fitting 10 to engage the front cut end surface 21a. The
lock 43 is substantially transversely symmetrical when viewed from
the front.
The arm 54 is slightly narrower than the cavity 41 (see FIG. 9) and
has its opposite bottom ends chamfered (see FIG. 1). The arm 54 is
resiliently deformable in a vertical deformation direction DD that
intersects the inserting and withdrawing directions IWD of the
female terminal fitting 10. Front and rear ends define the supports
about which the arm 54 deflects. Thus, the arm 54 has a
substantially arch shape and a longitudinal middle portion of the
arm 54 is at a bottommost position (see FIG. 10) during the
deformation. A deformation permitting space is provided below the
arm 54 to permit resilient deformation of the arm 54, and excessive
deformation preventing rails 56 are spaced below the opposite
chamfered sides of the arm 54 by the height of the deformation
permitting space. The excessive deformation preventing rails 56
have a substantially triangular cross section extend along the
longitudinal direction of the lock 43. The excessive deformation
preventing rails 56 prevent excessive resilient deformation of the
lock 43 by engaging the lock 43 before the lock 43 is deformed
beyond its resiliency limit. A rear portion 54b of the arm 54 is
connected with the bottom wall 42 over substantially the entire
width and is sloped up toward the front, whereas a front portion
54a thereof is connected partly with the front wall 44 of the
female housing 40 and is substantially horizontal. The
projection-inserting groove 47 in the bottom wall 42 is formed
continuously in the rear portion 54b, and parts of the rear portion
54b left at the opposite sides of the projection-inserting groove
47 serve as rear supports 57 for supporting the female terminal
fitting 10 from below.
The fastening projection 55 is as wide as the arm 54 (see FIG. 9).
The front end of the fastening projection 55 substantially aligns
with the front end of the rear portion 54b of the arm 54, and the
rear surface the fastening projection 55 is inclined to be
continuous with the rear portion 54b. The projection-inserting
groove 47 in the rear portion 54b of the arm 54 is formed
continuously in the fastening projection 55. Thus, the widthwise
middle of the fastening projection 55 is recessed when viewed from
the front (see FIG. 1). The front surface of the fastening
projection 55 defines an upper locking surface 58 that is
engageable with portions of the front cut end surface 21a of the
cut-away portion 21 of the female terminal fitting 10 at the
opposite sides of the locking projection 29 (see FIG. 12). The
upper locking surface 58 is substantially normal to forward and
backward directions.
A forwardly open maneuverable groove 59 is formed in the widthwise
center of the upper surface of the front portion 54a of the arm 54
and extends over substantially the entire length of the front
portion 54a. The maneuverable groove 59 is configured to receive a
disengagement jig J from the front (see FIG. 15) for forcibly
deforming the lock 43. Parts of the front portion 54b at the
opposite sides of the maneuverable groove 59 define front supports
60 for supporting the female terminal fitting 10 from below. Thus,
the maneuverable groove 59 makes the front portion 54a of the arm
54 thinner than the rear portion 54b. The maneuverable groove 59
has a depth slightly over half the thickness of the front portion
54a of the arm 54, and opposite side surfaces of the maneuverable
groove 59 curve up to opposite outer sides to conform substantially
to the outer shape of the arm 54 (see FIG. 1). The locking
projection 29 of the female terminal fitting 10 inserted into the
cavity 41 enters this maneuverable groove 59. A lower locking
surface 61 is formed at the rear end of the maneuverable groove 59
and is substantially continuous with the upper locking surface 58.
The lower locking surface 61 is engageable with the rear end of the
locking projection 29 of the front cut end surface 21a of the
cut-away portion 21 of the female terminal fitting 10. This lower
locking surface 61 is inclined more backward than the upper locking
surface 58.
A jig-introducing groove 62 splits the front half of the front
portion 54a of the arm 54 and communicates with the maneuverable
groove 59 for receiving the disengagement jig J. An upwardly and
rearwardly inclined guide surface 63 is formed at the rear end of
the jig-introducing groove 62 for guiding the disengagement jig J
into the maneuverable groove 59.
A locking surface 64 of the lock 43 for engaging with the female
terminal fitting 10 is comprised of the upper and lower locking
surfaces 58 and 61, as shown in FIG. 7. The upper locking surface
58 is formed by the front surface of the fastening projection 55,
which is the portion of the fastening projection 55 that projects
further into the cavity 41. The lower locking surface 61 is formed
by the back surface of the maneuverable groove 59. The upper and
lower locking surfaces 58, 61 are discontinuous and are aligned at
different angles .alpha., .beta. to the withdrawing direction WD of
the female terminal fitting 10. Specifically, the angle .alpha.
between the lower locking surface 61 and the withdrawing direction
WD of the female terminal fitting 10 is 90.degree. or larger, i.e.
an obtuse angle. However, the angle .beta. between the upper
locking surface 58 and the withdrawing direction preferably is
about 90.degree.. Accordingly, the angle .beta. of the upper
locking surface 58 to the withdrawing direction WD is smaller than
the angle .alpha. of the lower locking surface 61. The angle
.alpha. of the lower locking surface 61 to the withdrawing
direction WD of the female terminal fitting 10 preferably is about
the same as an angle of the front cut end surface 21a of the
cut-away portion 21 of the female terminal fitting 10 thereto.
The connector of the invention is used by first mounting the
retainer 52 in the partial locking position in the female housing
40, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. The female terminal fitting 10 then
is inserted into the cavity 41 from behind with the barrel 12 of
the female terminal fitting 10 crimped, bent or folded into
connection with the wire W. If an attempt is made to insert the
female terminal fitting 10 upside down, the front end surface of
the upward-facing stabilizer 25 contacts the restricting portion 50
at the rear end of the cavity 41, thereby hindering insertion of
the female terminal fitting 10. In this way, an upside-down
insertion of the female terminal fitting 10 is prevented.
Insertion of the properly oriented female terminal fitting 10 into
the cavity 41 moves the locking projection 29 into the
projection-inserting groove 47. The projection 27 and the
stabilizer 25 then enter the projection-inserting groove 47 and the
stabilizer-inserting groove 48, respectively so that the female
terminal fitting 10 can be inserted smoothly while being prevented
from shaking along vertical and transverse directions. When the
female terminal fitting 10 is inserted to a specified depth, the
lock 43 is pressed by the locking projection 29, and the arm 54 is
deformed down in the deformation direction DD and into a shallow
V-shape when viewed sideways. Thus, the front portion 54a is
inclined backward while the rear portion 54b is inclined forward.
The locking projection 29 is substantially pyramidal and has a
vertex at the front end. Thus, the locking projection 29 can be
inserted smoothly along the projection-inserting groove 47 and can
smoothly press the lock 43.
There are cases where an operator tries to move the retainer 52 to
the full locking position before the female terminal fitting 10 has
reached a proper depth. In such a case, the fastening portion 53 of
the retainer 52 contacts the bottom surface of the main body 11 of
the female terminal fitting 10 to prevent the retainer 52 from
moving to the full locking position. Thus, the insufficient
insertion of the female terminal fitting 10 can be detected.
The locking projection 29 moves beyond the fastening projection 55
and enters the maneuverable groove 59 when the female terminal
fitting 10 is inserted to the proper depth in the cavity 41, as
shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, whereupon the lock 43 is restored
resiliently. The fastening projection 55 of the lock 43 then enters
the cut-away portion 21, the lower locking surface 61 engages the
rear edge of the locking projection 29 of the front cut end surface
21a of the cut-away portion 21 (see FIG. 11), and the upper locking
surface 58 engage the portions of the front cut end surface 21a of
the cut-away portion 21 at the opposite sides of the locking
projection 29 (see FIG. 12). In this way, the female terminal
fitting 10 is held by the lock 43 so as not to come out. In the
process of properly inserting the female terminal fitting 10, a
depth of engagement of the lock 43 with the female terminal fitting
10 is increased since the front end of the main body 11 is pushed
down toward the lock 43 by the jutting portion 49 on the ceiling
surface of the cavity 41.
The upper locking surface 58 of the lock 43 defines the maximum
width of the lock 43, and the front cut end surface 21a of the
cut-away portion 21 of the female terminal fitting 10 extends over
the entire width of the female terminal fitting 10. Thus, the
female terminal fitting 10 is held in the cavity 41 by a strong
locking force. Further, the front cut end surface 21a of the
cut-away portion 21 and the lower locking surface 61 both are
inclined at obtuse angles to the withdrawing direction of the
female terminal fitting 10. Thus, even if a force on the wire W
acts to pull the locked female terminal fitting 10 back, a
component of force acts on the lock 43 in an obliquely upward
direction to the back, which is substantially opposite the downward
deforming direction DD. Thus, it is difficult to disengage the lock
43, and a force to lock the terminal fitting 10 is made even
stronger.
The retainer 52 is moved to the full locking position, as shown in
FIG. 14, after all the female terminal fittings 10 are inserted
properly into the corresponding cavities 41, and the fastening
portions 53 enter the corresponding cavities 41 to engage the
stepped portions 28 including the projections 27. In this way, the
female terminal fittings 10 are locked doubly in the cavities 41 by
the locks 43 and the retainer 52.
The terminal fitting 10 may have to be withdrawn from the female
housing 40 for maintenance or other reason. In such a case, the
retainer 52 is returned from the full locking position to the
partial locking position, as shown in FIG. 11. The lock 43 then is
deformed by inserting the disengagement jig J into the
jig-introducing groove 62 and the maneuverable groove 59. An
initial inserting operation can be performed easily since a wide
entrance for the disengagement jig J is provided by the
jig-introducing groove 62. Further, the back surface of the
jig-introducing groove 62 is formed into the guide surface 63,
which is inclined toward the maneuverable groove 59. Thus, the
disengagement jig J can be guided smoothly to the maneuverable
groove 59.
The disengagement jig J is inserted to the back of the maneuverable
groove 59 and moved along the inclination of the outer surface of
the locking projection 29, as shown in FIG. 15. Thus, the leading
end of the disengagement jig J pushes the wall surface of the
maneuverable groove 59 down to deform the arm 54, as shown in FIG.
16. The wire W is gripped and pulled back in the withdrawal
direction WD when the lock 43 is deformed away from the female
terminal fitting 10, and the female terminal fitting 10 can be
pulled out of the cavity 41.
The angle .alpha. of the upper locking surface 58 of the locking
surface 64 to the withdrawing direction of the female terminal
fitting 10 is smaller than the angle .beta. of the lower locking
surface 61 thereto. Therefore, a trace of displacement of the
locking surface 64 during the deformation of the lock 43 is further
back than a locking surface that has the same angle of inclination
over the entire length, as shown by phantom line in FIGS. 15 and
16. Thus, the locking surface 64 is less likely to interfere with
the locking projection 29 during the deformation of the locking
surface 64. Even if the locking surface 64 should interfere with
the locking projection 29, it is caught more lightly than the one
shown by phantom line. Therefore, the lock 43 can be deformed and
the interference is overcome easily by slightly pushing the female
terminal fitting forward via the wire W.
That the trace of displacement of the locking surface 64 during the
deformation of the lock 43 is further back means a smaller
clearance between the locking surface 64 of the lock 43 and the
front cut end surface 21a of the cut-away portion 21 of the female
terminal fitting 10 when the female terminal fitting 10 is inserted
to a proper depth in the cavity 41 (see FIG. 11). Thus, a range
within which the female terminal fitting 10 may shake forward and
backward while being properly inserted in the cavity 41 becomes
smaller. This reduces the possibility of making the electrical
connection between the female terminal fitting 10 and the mating
terminal fitting unstable.
As described above, the lower locking surface 61 is inclined at an
obtuse angle to the withdrawing direction WD of the female terminal
fitting 10. Thus, even if a force acts to pull the locked terminal
fitting 10 back, a component of force acts on the lock 43 in a
direction substantially opposite the deforming direction DD, making
it difficult to disengage the lock 43. As a result, a force to lock
the terminal fitting 10 can be increased. On the other hand, the
angle .beta. of the upper locking surface 58 with respect to the
withdrawing direction WD of the terminal fitting 10 is smaller than
the angle .alpha. of the lower locking surface 61 thereto. Thus,
the trace of displacement of the locking surface 64 during
deformation of the lock 43 can be more backward as compared to a
locking surface having the same angle of inclination over the
entire length. Thus, the lock 43 is less likely to interfere with
the terminal fitting 10 during the deformation of the lock 43 at
the time of detaching the terminal fitting 10, and the terminal
fitting 10 can be detached more reliably. Therefore, a large
locking force can be secured for the female terminal fitting 10
even if the strength of the lock 43 is lowered as a result of
miniaturization and the detaching operability of the female
terminal fitting 10 can be improved.
The invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated
embodiment. For example, the following embodiments are also
embraced by the technical scope of the present invention as defined
by the claims. Beside the following embodiments, various changes
can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the
present invention as defined by the claims.
Although the angle of the upper locking surface to the withdrawing
direction of the female terminal fitting is about 90.degree. in the
foregoing embodiment, it may be larger than or smaller than
90.degree. provided that this angle is smaller than the angle of
the lower locking surface to the withdrawing direction WD.
The upper locking surface is on the fastening projection and the
lower locking surface is on the arm in the foregoing embodiment.
However, both upper and lower locking surfaces may be provided on
the fastening projection.
Although a lock supported at both ends is described above, the
invention is also applicable to locks supported only at one
end.
The female terminal fitting has the locking projection in the
foregoing embodiments. However, connectors in which female terminal
fittings having no locking projection also are embraced by the
present invention.
Although the female connector in which the female terminal fittings
are accommodated in the female housing is described in the
foregoing embodiment, the present invention is also applicable to
male connectors in which male terminal fittings are accommodated in
a male housing.
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